5 Mix-and-Match September Meals You Do Not Need a Recipe For
Build five simple September meals from a flexible formula using seasonal produce, protein, and easy pantry staples.
One of the easiest ways to make healthy eating harder is to believe every meal needs a new recipe.
It does not.
A lot of my everyday meals are combinations more than recipes. I start with a vegetable or fruit, add protein, add something that makes the meal satisfying, and finish with a simple sauce, seasoning, or crunch.
Here are five September combinations you can build without measuring everything.
1. Squash + white bean + greens bowl
Start with roasted winter squash.
Add:
- white beans
- sauteed kale or spinach
- cooked farro, buckwheat, or another grain if you want it
- tahini or plain yogurt thinned into a sauce
- pumpkin or black sesame seeds
This is a great use for leftover roasted squash.
2. Beet + egg + toast plate
Use cooked beets so there is almost no prep.
Add:
- one or two eggs
- whole-grain toast
- arugula or cooked greens
- mustard-yogurt dressing or hummus
- black pepper
It works for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
3. Cauliflower + chickpea skillet
Brown cauliflower in a skillet or roast it until the edges are dark and nutty.
Add:
- chickpeas
- garlic or garlic powder
- smoked paprika
- a spoonful of tahini
- herbs or greens
Serve as-is or spoon over a grain.
4. Pear + yogurt + walnut breakfast
Start with a ripe pear.
Add:
- plain yogurt or cottage cheese
- walnuts
- cinnamon
- oats or buckwheat
- chia, flax, or black sesame if you like
Warm the pear first if you want more of a fall breakfast.
5. Fig + goat cheese + greens toast
Spread whole-grain toast with a small amount of goat cheese.
Add:
- fresh sliced figs
- greens
- walnuts
- black sesame seeds
- balsamic drizzle
If you want more protein, add an egg or serve with a side of edamame or yogurt.
My simple meal formula
When I do not want to think, I use this:
Produce + protein + satisfying carbohydrate + healthy fat + flavor
That could look like:
Kale + tofu + noodles + sesame + tamari
or
Pear + yogurt + oats + walnuts + cinnamon
or
Squash + white beans + farro + tahini + herbs
The formula gives you structure without making you follow a rigid meal plan.
Repeat what works
If one combination turns into your favorite lunch for three days, that is not boring. That is efficient.
Healthy eating gets much easier when we stop making ourselves solve the same problem from scratch every day.
Featured Cookbook
Thrive Beyond 60 Cookbook
Simple, practical plant-based flexitarian recipes built for energy, digestion, and healthy aging after 60.
- Easy, real-life recipes you'll actually use
- Focus foods framework to simplify your meals
- Built for energy, digestion & healthy aging
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle, especially if you have existing conditions or take medication.
💌Want plant-based tips each week
Join the Plant Based Flex newsletter. It’s free, and when you confirm your email I’ll send you a 7-Day Kickstart Wellness Bundle to help you thrive beyond 60.